Colorado National Guard Airmen return from Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kristin Haley
  • 140th Wing Public Affairs
Buckley Air Forc e Base, Colo. --  Five Colorado Air National Guard members assigned to the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colo., returned yesterday after a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. They were greeted by family members and friends as well as senior leaders from the 140th Wing at Denver International Airport when the service members arrived at 5:00 p.m. local time.
   These Colorado Guardsmen are all members of the 240th Civil Engineer Squadron, who deploy in small teams for continuous six-month rotations. This was the first team to deploy as a part of these rotations. The individuals returning yesterday were replaced in Afghanistan by members from the same engineer unit.
    While deployed, these Colorado Citizen-Airmen worked at a remote Forward Operating Base as a Facilities Engineer Team. More specifically, the team was responsible for design and construction project management, from cradle to grave. Their jobs consisted of everything from initial design to contracting out the construction to local Afghans.
    "These Airmen have done a wonderful job. Their efforts have been critical to the rebuilding of infrastructure in the war-torn nation of Afghanistan," said 140th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Trulan A. Eyre.
    Though these Citizen Airmen are returning, and five others have already left to take their place, approximately 300 additional Colorado National Guard men and women assigned to the 140th Wing will deploy this summer in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
    Here in Colorado, the 140th Wing's day-to-day mission is to protect our skies by responding rapidly and appropriately to potential air threats in support of Operation Noble Eagle, the military response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Aircraft from the 140th Wing are on alert 24/7.